Insurance

PacifiCare Execs’ Deal Is Detailed

August 2, 2005  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">Los Angeles Times</p> <p>"When HMO executives receive hundreds of millions of dollars of cash and stock, patients will invariably be asked to pay more for less care," said Jerry Flanagan, spokesman for the Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights, a Santa Monica-based consumer group, which wants the state to allow regulators to review all future rate increases and deny those deemed to be excessive, unfair or discriminatory.</p>

PacifiCare execs could earn millions in UnitedHealth deal

August 2, 2005  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">Associated Press</p> <p>The Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights said it will demand that the state oppose the deal unless executive payouts are limited and other steps are taken. The filings said 18 PacifiCare executives would share $14.5 million in "change in control" payments.</p>

Consumers trust blindly in policies, unaware of association-insurer ties

July 31, 2005  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">San Jose Mercury News</p>

CAMPAIGN GIFTS KEEP GIVING BACK

July 31, 2005  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">The Daily News of Los Angeles</p> <p>Current Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger would not have been able to conduct all the fund-raising events he pulled off last spring. One event in Dallas, for instance, was co-hosted by Bob Schlegel, whose Pavestone Co. has a $113,000 California state contract. Another event in Chicago was co-chaired by Patrick Ryan, head of AON, a large insurance brokerage deeply involved in the California workers' compensation market, according to the consumer watchdog Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights.</p>

Ameriquest Prepares to Settle States’ Probe;

July 29, 2005  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>The Orange County mortgage giant allots $325 million to end an inquiry into allegations of loan abuses. The firm has denied wrongdoing.</h3><p class="source">Los Angeles Times</p> <p>Doug Heller, executive director of FTCR in Santa Monica, took issue with Arnall's nomination to be ambassador to the Netherlands. "His companies have engaged in unfair and deceptive practices too many times to count," Heller said. "These executives should be headed to the pen, not some diplomat's mansion."</p>

Pig People from Outer Space

July 29, 2005  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">ProCare Blog</p> <p>Will Californians be able to get the Governator and regulators to investigate whether WellPoint, parent company of Blue Cross California, has broken it's promise not to pass the buck of merger related expenses onto patients?</p>

WellPoint Earnings More Than Double

July 28, 2005  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">Los Angeles Times</p> <p>Consumer advocates said the increased profit showed that WellPoint made patients rather than shareholders pay for combining the companies, violating promises to states. That is the subject of an investigation by California regulators.</p>

House OKs association health plans

July 27, 2005  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">The Washington Times</p> <p>State requirements for coverage of services like diabetes treatments and breast-cancer screenings could be eliminated under the health plans, said Carmen Balber, spokeswoman for the Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights, a Santa Monica, Calif., consumer advocacy group. </p>

Why are the Dems caving in on Cox?

July 25, 2005  ·  Jamie Court

<p class="source">Los Angeles Times</p> <p>In a better world, next week's Senate confirmation hearings on the nomination of Rep. Christopher Cox (R-Newport Beach) to lead the Securities and Exchange Commission would be the Democratic Party's finest hour. The hearings offer a perfect opportunity to decry Wall Street's looting of Main Street and to put the GOP on trial for creating the conditions under which corporate criminals flourished.</p>

Health care mergers get applause, skepticism

July 18, 2005  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">The San Diego Union-Tribune</p> <p> "We are looking at a system where a very small number of companies control the health insurance market and set their terms and conditions without fear," said Jamie Court, president of the Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights in Santa Monica. "I think the trend is only going to continue." </p>

Governor to quit 2nd job;

July 17, 2005  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>Schwarzenegger relents amid controversy over lucrative pay and potential conflict of interest</h3><p class="source">The San Francisco Chronicle</p> <p>"Schwarzenegger did something he absolutely had to do, but he should never have put himself in this position in the first place," said Doug Heller, executive director of the Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights, a group that is a frequent Schwarzenegger critic. </p>

Pig People from Outer Space (PPOs)

July 16, 2005  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">www.nabeepchen.com</p> <p>If you've been screwed by health insurance, can't afford it, have a policy that sucks, or just want to laugh, take a look at this video from ConsumerWatchdog.org</p>